(I suggest this is done by one person, but we might use more than one version if they have different approaches – you can use your own words and vary this script, but please cover the same ground i.e. taking the cornet out of the box, naming the parts, putting the mouthpiece in GENTLY, holding the cornet, buzzing into the instrument to get a sound)
(demonstrate each step with one of our cornets)
“Hi. I’m …. and I’m going to show you how to play the cornet.”
“Here is our cornet. It comes in a box” (open box)
“Take out the cornet” (pick up cornet)
“Pick up the mouthpiece (use a plastic mouthpiece and show it to the camera) and put it gently into the cornet here”
“Please don’t push the mouthpiece in too hard or bang it in as it can get stuck”
“This is the bell where the sound comes out”
“Here are the 3 valves which can be pressed down to play different notes” (demonstrate pressing valves to camera, but don’t play)
“If any of the valves are stuck, very gently ease it up, then carefully press down and ease up until it becomes free (demonstrate)”
“If you cannot get a valve working, please ask for help from your music teacher at school, or contact us for help”
“Your cornet also has a tuning slide here (the 3rd valve slide with finger ring), which you might need to use later when playing with other people, to keep in tune with them”
“And on the tuning slide, and here, there are water keys which can be used to empty out any water from your cornet”
“Does your cornet come with one of these?” (Pick up mute and show to camera)
“It’s called a mute and it can be used if you need to make the cornet a little quieter, which can be handy when you are practicing at home.”
“Push it gently into the bell like this.”
“But for now, let’s take it out!”
“We always hold the cornet in our left hand, like this, or anyway that feels comfortable for you.” (note we’ve never told the children to use the 3rd valve finger slide which they may not be able to manage with small hands, and is quite fragile anyway. But maybe we should think about the best way for a child to hold the cornet?)
“With our right hand, we place our little finger on the pinkie ring here, our middle 3 fingers on the valves like this, and rest our thumb here” (demonstrate each to camera and go slowly so there is time to see what you are doing)
“Are you feeling comfortable? You should have the cornet securely held in your left hand, and your right hand should be resting on the cornet, ready to play”
“OK. Now we are going to buzz into the cornet. Do you remember how to buzz from the last lesson?”
“Squeeze the corners of your mouth and press your lips together, then blow through a small hole in the middle of your lips to buzz.”
“Bring the cornet up to your mouth.”
“Your lips should be lightly pressed up to the mouthpiece, not too hard, like this…don’t puff out your cheeks!”
“Now buzz into the cornet”
“If that didn’t work, try taking the mouthpiece out of the cornet and buzz into it”
“Now breath in, and buzz into the mouthpiece while bringing the cornet up the mouthpiece”
“You can also experiment with blowing harder or softer, squeezing your lips together more firmly or relaxing them a little”
“Sometimes the best thing to do is to imagine the sound you want to make and just go for it”
“Was that better?
“If you are still struggling to get a sound out of your cornet, try experimenting with your buzzing. If you don’t succeed at first, put it down, have a rest and come back later. You can also ask your music teacher at school for help, or contact us!.”
“Otherwise you’re ready to move straight to the next lesson! See you there”
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